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NACCE Announces Two National Student Competitions

Community College Students Will Win Cash Awards for Video Essay and "Fast” Pitches

SPRINGFIELD, MA – July 1, 2013 – The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) is now accepting submissions for two student competitions for community college students, age 18 or older, who are aspiring entrepreneurs. The contests, the "NACCE2013 Student Video Essay Contest,” and the "NACCE2013 Student FastPitch Competition,” are intended to stimulate innovative thinking among student entrepreneurs. NACCE is a major force in entrepreneurship education and is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start, run and grow thriving businesses. The winners will receive cash prizes andthe chance to present their entries during NACCE’s 11th Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC, October 13-16, 2013.

Video Essay Contest

The NACCE2013 Student Video Essay Contestis designed to empower students to proactively engage in developing the future of entrepreneurship in their education programs on campus. They will prepare a one-to-three-minute-video on a selected topic that demonstrates the approach they would take to promote entrepreneurship at their community college. The winner will receive $1,000, a travel stipend and hotel accommodations, and is expected to present the video essay on Tuesday, October 15. Information for all entries must be provided through the application form, and entries are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on September 15, 2013. Students are encouraged to work with a faculty member or business mentor on their submission. For more information about the NACCE 2013 Student Video Essay Contest, contact: Doan Winkel, NACCE Leadership Fellow and Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Illinois State University. The contest is sponsored by NACCE and The George R. and Martha Means Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at Illinois State University.

FastPitch Competition

The NACCE2013 Student FastPitch Competition provides student entrepreneurs with the opportunity to demonstrate the benefits of a community college education and represent their college at NACCE’s Annual Conference. The contest goal is to motivate student entrepreneurs to develop a short presentation (approximately five minutes), in which they succinctly get their business idea across to potential "investors.” This gives students the chance to gain experience in pitching their business idea in a friendly yet competitive atmosphere. To enter, students must submit an executive summary of their business idea (500 words or less). A panel of judges will select the best entries, which will advance to the semi-finals. Semi-finalists must present their FastPitch elevator presentation at the NACCE 2013 Annual Conference on Sunday, October 13. Finalists will be given an exhibition booth to showcase their pitch to conference attendees in the NACCE Marketplace on Monday October 14. During the final round, finalist will present in front of judges. The winner will be awarded $1,000. Second and third-place finishers will receive $600 and $400 respectively. Information for all entries must be provided through the application form, and entries are due by 5:00 p.m. EST on September 15, 2013. Students are encouraged to work with a faculty member or business mentor on their submission. For more information, contact Gary Muller, NACCE Outreach Fellow, and Business Programs Department Head at Catawba Valley Community College. The NACCE 2013 Student FastPitch Competition is sponsored by NACCE and Catawba Valley Community College.

About NACCE

The National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) is an organization of educators, administrators, presidents and entrepreneurs, focused on inciting entrepreneurship in their community and on their campus. NACCE has two main goals: 1. Empower the college to approach the business of running a community college with an entrepreneurial mindset; and 2. Grow the community college’s role in supporting job creation and entrepreneurs in their local ecosystem.

Founded in 2002, NACCE is at the heart of the "entrepreneurship movement.” Through membership, an annual conference and exhibition, regional summits, a quarterly journal, monthly webinars, a dynamic list-serv, and training resources, NACCE serves as the hub for the dissemination and integration of knowledge and successful practices regarding entrepreneurial leadership, entrepreneurship education and student business incubation. These initiatives and resulting actions advance economic prosperity in the communities served by its member colleges. NACCE is a founding member of the White House-led Startup America Partnership. For more information, visit nacce.com.

About The George R. and Martha Means Center for Entrepreneurial Studies

The George R. and Martha Means Center for Entrepreneurial Studies exists to 1) graduate student businesses, and 2) create an entrepreneurial culture across the Illinois State University campus and in the community. The Means Center develops and implements innovative programs and far-reaching relationships to enhance academic and business experiences for students in higher education, and to serve as a research and consulting resource for businesses in the Central Illinois community.

About Catawba Valley Community College

Catawba Valley Community College is an accredited comprehensive North Carolina community college serving Catawba and Alexander counties. Approximately 5,000 students are enrolled in college credit courses and nearly 15,000 students are enrolled in short-term, continuing education courses. The college offers programming in Hickory, Newton and Taylorsville and in many community and workplace locations.